Advice needed - juggling work, prereqs, $

[Cymbaline]

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Hello, new to the board!
It is so nice to read the experience of nontraditionals on this board -- it has been a big help in putting things in perspective. I would like to ask for some advice on how the heck I'm going to do all of this myself..

I just recently made the decision to go into medicine. I've been thinking about it off and on for a long, long time however. Some personal/family problems my freshman year of college made me put it out of my mind so I could graduate sooner and be in the workforce and independent. Needless to say I've been working a little over a year and slowly realizing the things which will and will not make me happy and can finally say without a doubt that medicine is the right decision for me.
I ended up only taking 1 physical science class (physics) my entire college career, so I'm going to need to complete more prerequisites (biology, chemistry, ochem, probably some more physics..)

Here are some details about my situation:

-in my mid-late twenties
-I got a B.S. in mathematics with a 3.88gpa
-Went on to get a master's in applied math with 3.8gpa and some college teaching experience
-I work full time and am also required to take professional exams for my job which require a lot of study time
-The only place in town I can take these classes in the evening and still keep my job for financial support is a small private college's evening campus. This is the same college I got my undergrad degree from. They have great professors, but limited class availability. Coordinating the classes I need to take might be an issue (especially for ochem). For an evening class, I would only be able to take 1 class + 1 lab at a time which is nearly full-time for an 8-week course.

My first question is, do you think it is a suicidal plan to juggle a full time job, professional exams, almost full time evening coursework, some volunteering on the weekends, and a relationship? Do most nontraditional students do this and pull it off? Or do they just quit their jobs and go to school full-time until they finish prereqs?
It's becoming clear to me that I will eventually have to quit my job and take classes in the daytime at a university just to fulfill some of the prerequisites. Is it better to just do this sooner rather than later? What about financial support when I finally file for student aid? Won't they look at my previous year's income and say I made too much to give me aid?
Any other advice for my situation?

I realize this is long but right now all the things I will need to do over the next few years seem very overwhelming -- I would appreciate input/answers on ANY of my questions.

 

[Quik]

I realize this is long but right now all the things I will need to do over the next few years seem very overwhelming -- I would appreciate input/answers on ANY of my questions.

I've been weighing the same conflicts at the moment. Work has been getting in the way more and more lately, as I'm required to travel for occassional business trips that seem to so conveniently coincide w/ mid-terms and labs which I cannot make-up. This is my first-term back in school, taking two courses at night through a CC.

Looking my own road ahead, I've realized with my work schedule's inflexibility with school, I cannot afford to try and manage both concurrently. Work is too great of a distraction from school, and school is too expensive w/out work. Luckily, I have some experience and am still able enough to take on a new job that will be absolutely full time for about 6 months, then return to school full time. Within two years of this cycle, I should be done w/ pre-reqs. If I didn't have this opportunity, I would look to finance the entire thing and take on a part-time job that understands the necessity of getting the school done as my priority. Realize now, that your current job is now longer your ultimate priority, and getting into med school is.

Basically, flexibility is your friend, but if you've been making a decent salary, federal fin-aid won't offer enough to go straight back to school full-time without taking additional private-loan debt. It is all possible, but be prepared to make plenty of sacrifices.

 

[Cymbaline]

Looking my own road ahead, I've realized with my work schedule's inflexibility with school, I cannot afford to try and manage both concurrently. Work is too great of a distraction from school, and school is too expensive w/out work.

Thank you for the advice.. it's true, work is no longer my ultimate priority but for now it's a means to an end. I would like to avoid taking out debt until I actually am accepted to med school, and with my job I can pay for my prerequisites and save up for the application process at the same time! I will try to stick through work as long as possible... this is going to be tough but I'm in it for the long haul.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Yes, some do it. First off welcome. Whether or not your plan is suicidal or not is entirely up to you. I hear people tell me everyday that my schedule is insane but it works for me and I can do it. I work 50 hours during the week full time and another 20 part time on the weekends. I am taking 20 credits this semester, and I volunteer at my daughters school when I can. I have 3 kids total. This schedule works for me. It forces me to prioritize and keep my schedules because I can't afford to get behind, but not everyone would like this schedule. So it is up to you. You have a great GPA. Try it out. If you feel overwhelmed, back off. With us nontrads it is about trial and error. Good luck

 

[katiemaude]

It's definitely possible to pull it off, but only you can really know if it's possible for you. And even then you might be underestimating yourself. Every semester since I started back to school, I have taken on more and more and thought, "OK, now THIS is going to kill me." And it hasn't. So maybe start out slowly? Take one class and work full-time. Next semester, add volunteering while working and taking one class.

I had built up to where I was taking four classes - three of which were science with labs plus statistics, working part-time (20 hrs/week), volunteering 8 hrs a week, freelance writing and maintaining a decent social life on weekends. I am single, which is a blessing and a curse - no relationship responsibilities, but also no one is making me dinner or picking up the slack or supporting me financially in even the smallest way, like buying the occasional meal. I also have to make time for dating so I don't die childless and alone (j/k).

Now with MCAT studying, I'm down to two prereqs, volunteering, working part-time (cut back to 10 hrs), shadowing and freelance writing. The MCAT is what's killing me!

 

[Cymbaline]

Thank you both for the words of encouragement! And after hearing your busy schedules, I feel even more grateful that you took the time to reply, haha 🙂
I'm glad it can be done, and I guess it's true that the more you have to deal with the more efficient you become (for some people). I think I am one of those people.
Well I got some of the examkrackers manuals in the mail today, so I guess I will start to study for the MCAT really early and accomplish 2 things: study for mcat, and make knowing vocabulary easier on myself when I actually take these prereq classes.

 

[Quik]

Just figure out what works for you and keep chuggin. Work works out when it can work around your schedule. If it prevents you from doing what you need, be prepared to make changes.

Well I got some of the examkrackers manuals in the mail today, so I guess I will start to study for the MCAT really early and accomplish 2 things: study for mcat, and make knowing vocabulary easier on myself when I actually take these prereq classes.

Exam krackers are great, from the anecdotal info I've received from peers. However, I would caution studying too far out in advance, before you really know the material you're studying and can commit the time to really focus, in preparation for the actual test. It will definitely serve you well to review each subject's manual before, and as you're going through each respective pre-req, just to know what needs to be fully understood.

However, here's the system my current roommate employed to score his 36... First, fully aquaint yourself with the book, how its laid out, how different info is presented (tips, important definitions etc.) Basically read the intro thoroughly. When ready (~3 months or so before the test date) begin going through each subject one at a time, jotting note cards (preferably in excel in question/answer format, and convert to an electronic format you can study on your phone). Master each section this way, one at a time, until you've completed each section (note carding about every important point in each book). When all are done and mastered, begin taking practice test, over, and over, and over again, till you are regularly scoring above your target. Apparently this method has a pretty astonishing success rate, and so I'd suggest it, and caution against studying way out ahead at risk of getting burnt out, or just wasting time.

Anyway, good luck getting everything figured out, and enjoy the resources here. The non-trad forum is filled with typically great and supportive people from all walks of life, going through, or already have gone through the same shiat you are.

Cheers.

 

[Cymbaline]

Exam krackers are great, from the anecdotal info I've received from peers. However, I would caution studying too far out in advance, before you really know the material you're studying and can commit the time to really focus, in preparation for the actual test. It will definitely serve you well to review each subject's manual before, and as you're going through each respective pre-req, just to know what needs to be fully understood.

Thanks for the study tips Quik, and duly noted on the caution.
Believe me I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, I know there will be plenty of opportunities in the future to study to my heart's content. I just like a general idea of where I'm going!

 

[jl lin]

My first question is, do you think it is a suicidal plan to juggle a full time job, professional exams, almost full time evening coursework, some volunteering on the weekends, and a relationship? Do most nontraditional students do this and pull it off? Or do they just quit their jobs and go to school full-time until they finish prereqs?
.

Speaking from experience, this is far from easy. I am looking at going to PT next year. Does the relationship get neglected? Um yea. So I've tried to make some compromises in terms of my schedule. It's tough. Kids still need me. . .I have yet another really sick parent/family member. . .lots of stuff you don't figure on kicks in. Full time job, pluses prof. exams, plus FT coursework and relationship (or in the case of those with families, relationships), PLUS volunteering. . .it can break you down quick. People do it, but something takes the hit of it somewhere.

Seriously, good luck. It's tough to do it.

 

[chidoman]

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[jsp132]

I was wondering how little i'd have to work and take about 3 lab courses........else i'd have my grades suffer

20 sounds doable

only reason im staying at my crappy job is because the management is flexible and know im going to school